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DRINKING RAIN WATER – HEALTH ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

In ancient times, the only source of drinking water was rainwater and water from underground sources like wells. The time was a golden period when the air was free from pollutants, rivers were free from chemical and toxic wastes. But with industrialization, the scenario at present is totally different. Rainwater conservation is a brilliant idea of water conservation. Indeed, the rainwater utilization for cleaning, washing, laundering, gardening. What about drinking? Is it really worth it? Let’s consider the health advantages and disadvantages of rainwater.

Rainwater is the water which reaches earth by condensation from clouds. In the first place it is pure but as it falls down it picks up the germs, pollution, dirt particles and other chemical wastes. The time when it reaches earth it is no safer for direct consumption. When it reaches the earth it is full of contaminants and its pH level rises due to chemicals present in it by now. Water that falls in the form of rain act as a purifier for air. Therefore if rain is free from pollutants, the water which we collect as rainwater would be safe and pure, ready to drink.

Health Advantages

Rainwater is free from any chemical contents which are present in tap water. The water supplies from the municipality often undergo treatments like chlorination or fluorination of water to achieve a water free from infections. The ingestion of both chlorine and fluorine proves to be hazardous for people consuming it. Chlorine and fluorine have their own bad impacts on health.

Another advantage of rainwater is that it is free of cost. The cost-effective property is the most alluring feature for people. It is easy to store and use for various daily routine works like gardening, laundry, cleaning etc.

The rainwater adds to health advantages, as it is free from all the polyflurocarbons which may be present in tap water and are health hazards to a great extent. Polyflurocarbons are toxic substances which may lead to infertility, thyroid dysfunctioning, cancer and cholesterol problems.

Rainwater is soft in nature as it lacks its minerals and other contents so, it proves to be beneficial for your hairs and skin. It helps in enhances the quality of hairs and skin and helps to maintain moisture and promote growth.

Health Disadvantages

Rainwater also beholds several disadvantages like airborne pollutants can easily flow with the rainwater and pollute the water. Presence of these pollutants makes it unhealthy for consumption. Furthermore, the geographical conditions can affect the types of pollutants present in the rainwater. Rainwater is the same as that of demineralized water which is free from health benefits. These minerals are helpful in maintaining healthy conditions in the body. In fact, the increasing population and pollution both exaggerate the ill effects. The rainwater is no more alkaline which helps in maintaining the health and balancing the pH of the body. Acidic rain is more profound at present.

Acid rain not only affects your skin but consumption can disturb and damage the entire set up inside your body. Acidic water can affect your bone health by enhancing the bone resorption and leads to bone related disorders. In addition to it, acidic water can elevate the risks of cardiovascular disorders and formation of free radicals. Hereby increasing the oxidative stress. Acidic water can increase the acidic reflux inside the body and inflammatory reactions may occur which irritate the lining of the stomach. The overall performance of body hampers due to acidic rainwater consumption.

Direct consumption of rainwater is not safe but filtration and boiling may serve as a gateway for the purification of the rainwater. Conservation of our natural resources is important and therefore, rainwater harvesting is an intelligent way to conserve water and decreasing the enhancing rate of exploitation of water resources.